Snow deep, mountain high in Kirchberg

IT WAS somewhat unnerving to find a church at the top of our first and only black run of the day while on a tour of the world-famous Ski Welt circuit in Austria.

Earlier, Janine Guggelberger – our expert guide, instructor and babysitter – had assured us that we would be skiing only reds for the day. In fact, we had specifically told her that we didn’t like to do black runs, reasoning that we were more into leisurely cruising as opposed to chasing adrenaline highs.

But with a tight schedule to adhere to and plenty more runs left to conquer, Janine estimated we could shave half an hour off time sitting on lifts by making an exception to our rule.

“You can say your prayers first,

? she laughed, nodding in the direction of the church.

As we edged closer to the lip of the unreasonably steep run, we reckoned we needed more than divine intervention to get us down in one piece. Somehow, however, we all managed to arrive at the bottom safely. It wasn’t graceful; it certainly wasn’t pretty – but we were down. God may or may not have played a part in it.

This was just one of many highlights of an eventful day on the Ski Welt, which boasts 270km of pistes and links popular resorts such as Soll, Westendorf, Ellmau, Going and Brixen im Thale.

We hadn’t based ourselves in the Ski Welt region for the week but were staying in Kirchberg, the once quieter sister resort of upmarket Kitzbuhel. The Kitzbuheler Alps region has 170km of pistes in itself but there is easy access to the Ski Welt area from the lift station at Ki-West.

While there are plenty of runs in the Kirchberg area to keep you interested for the week, seasoned skiers might wish to upgrade to the Kitzbuhler Alpen Star Card which is valid for 356 lifts and an incredible 1,000kms of pistes.

Kirchberg has become increasingly popular with Irish people and has hosted a number of highly successful Ian Dempsey Today FM ski trips in recent years (they’re heading back there in 2014). Dutch and German skiers can’t get enough of the place either.

Once you scratch the surface of the town’s seemingly sleepy veneer, you’ll find an abundance of pubs (Coconuts Bar, the Boomerang, the London Pub) and clubs where you can party with the best of them.

But if, like us, you prefer putting on the slippers as soon as you take off your ski boots, then there are plenty of more sedate restaurants or hotel bars to unwind in.

A daily ritual throughout our week was lunch at Gasthof Ochsalm, perched high in the mountains with stunning views over the slopes. It also has a moveable roof!

It was here we dined with Christoph Stoeckl, head of tourism for Kirchberg, who clearly has a genuine passion for the area and was more than happy to espouse its virtues.

He makes a convincing case for choosing Kirchberg as the perfect destination for your ski holiday – value for money, variety, great skiing and a laid back yet lively atmosphere. But he’s already preaching to the converted – after just one visit, Kirchberg has sold itself to us.

To paraphrase one of Austria’s most famous expats – we’ll be back.

?¢ For further information on Kirchberg, call Topflight on 01-2401700, visit www.topflight.ie or drop in to your local travel agent to book or get a copy of Topflight’s new ski brochure, out now.

Kirchberg in Tirol:

Fact File

?¢ We travelled to Kirchberg with Topflight, voted Ireland’s leading ski tour operator for the past 19 years.

?¢ Kirchberg is less famous than its cosmopolitan neighbour Kitzbuhel, but it is becoming very popular with Irish skiers.

?¢ Kirchberg in Tirol is part of the Kitzbuhler Alps and has a total ski area of 170kms, which includes the famous Hahnenkamm mountain for those of you who watch the Kitzbuhel downhill race.

?¢ Kirchberg also has access to the Ski Welt – Austria’s largest interconnected ski area, giving a further 270kms of piste. For intermediate skiers, a ski instructor/ski guide is strongly recommended to take full advantage of this area.

?¢ Intermediates should also buy the Kitzbuhler Alpen Star Card which is valid for 356 lifts and a staggering 1,000kms of piste. The price of this lift pass is e233 in high season, with discounts for youths and children.

?¢ Kirchberg is an hour and a half from Salzburg, with Topflight charters operating all ski season from Dublin, Cork and Belfast Airports.

Kirchberg:

The costs

A week’s holiday with Topflight to Kirchberg, including Aer Lingus charter flights, return transfers, rep services and your chosen accommodation will cost from:

?¢ B/B pensions –

?¬561

?¢ Hotel Activ Sonne 4 Star –

?¬999

?¢ Hotel Brauwirt 4 star –

?¬832 (this hotel is excellent for those with disabilities and likewise the resort has disability skiing facilities).

?¢ Hotel Alexander 4 Star –

?¬829 (this hotel is right in the centre and has excellent cuisine and great pizza!)

It should be noted that all of these prices include full luggage allowances of 20kgs check-in luggage, and 10kgs on board, essential for ski holidays. And Topflight is 100 per cent bonded, a really important fact when weather delays can happen.